Helena Bengal Boys and Girls Look to Get Back to State

Entering the 2015 campaign the Helena Lady Bengals will be relying on a ton of juniors to improve on last year's eight win season, but it's their lone senior, Shanna Floerchinger, that will lead the way.

"I have to be more of a leader this year," said Floerchinger. "But I don't mind it. All the juniors step up, and even the younger girls step up too."

Last season Helena had one of the youngest rosters in AA, with seven sophomores, and this year that experience should make a difference.

"We all know that coming into the season it's not just going to be handed to us, we have to work hard," said Lady Bengals junior guard Hailey Crawford. "I just feel like we've matured a lot."

"Even though they were sophomores last year, we had a lot of sophomores contribute on the varsity level," said Lady Bengals head coach Eric Peterson. "And they were very disappointed on how the season ended."

On the boys side, the Bengals are using last season's disappointing double overtime loss in their play in game to Sentinel as motivation.

"You hate to say it leaves a bad taste in your mouth for personal reasons," said Bengals head coach John Hollow. "You always want your seniors to go out with at trip to the state tournament. But I also think that has been key to our off-season, which is the best one we've had since I've been here."

The Bengals lost some size from last year, but still come in as one of the biggest teams in the state, led by 6'6" First Team All State forward Ragen Shein.

"Yeah we're going to be a little bit smaller than we were last year, but we should be pretty good," said Shein. "We should score a lot more points this year."

"Ragen is just an incredible player," said Bengals senior guard Connor Mathews. "We can always count on him when we need a bucket. And on both ends of the floor he's one of the best in the state."

After sitting out last season, both Bengal squads will be looking to get back to state as they kick off their season on Thursday.

Sayeed Pridgett hit two free throws with a second left to lift Montana to its second straight victory in the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase tournament in Nassau, a 73-71 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.

Sayeed Pridgett hit two free throws with a second left to lift Montana to its second straight victory in the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase tournament in Nassau, a 73-71 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.